A major rescue operation has taken place in Bedfordshire, after five horses in a herd had died as a result of neglect.
Urgent attention
The RSPCA was first informed of the situation in December 2014, when three horses on the site in Leighton Buzzarddied from a condition caused by small redworm.
A spokesperson for the charity told H&C three horses in need of urgent veterinary attention were then removed from the site, and a foal was rescued at the beginning of January.Two of these horses had to be put to sleep at a later date due to poor health.
The eightremaininghorses were removed on 15 January, with the help of Bedfordshire Police, the Horse Trust, Blue Cross and World Horse Welfare.
Serious concerns
According to RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall the rescue was “quite some feat” as the horses were “semi-wild”.The road had to be closed, and it took more than 20 people nearly four hours to round them up.
“We have had serious concerns about these horses for some time and I am so pleased we managed to rescue them today and that they are now receiving proper care,” said RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall.
“We’ve been visiting them daily to check on them, but needed to make sure they had good places to go to where they can be properly cared for, and that we had the correct equipment to be able to catch them before attempting a rescue.”
Taken into care
The horses have now been taken into care by the various charities who will rehabilitate them. It not yet known who the horses belong to.
“We areseeking informationabout the owner of the horses and would like to hear from anyone who could help us locate them,” said sergeant Andy Rivers of Leighton Buzzard police.
If you have informationabout this incident contactBedfordshire police on 101 or text 07786 200011.